Battery Charging-Vehicles With Maintenance-Free Battery

WARNING:
^ KEEP BATTERIES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. BATTERIES CONTAIN SULPHURIC ACID, AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES OR CLOTHING. SHIELD YOUR EYES WHEN WORKING NEAR THE BATTERY TO PROTECT AGAINST POSSIBLE SPLASHING OF THE ACID SOLUTION. IN CASE OF ACID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES, FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH WATER FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES AND SEEK PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION. IF ACID IS SWALLOWED, CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
^ BATTERIES NORMALLY PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE GASES WHICH CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY, THEREFORE DO NOT ALLOW FLAMES, SPARKS, OR LIGHTED SUBSTANCES TO COME NEAR THE BATTERY. WHEN CHARGING OR WORKING NEAR A BATTERY ALWAYS SHIELD YOUR FACE AND PROTECT YOUR EYES. ALWAYS PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Cold batteries will not readily accept a charge. Therefore, batteries should be allowed to warm up to approximately 5°C (41°F) before charging. This may require four to eight hours at room temperature depending on the initial temperature and battery size.
2. A battery which has been completely discharged may be slow to accept a charge initially, and in some cases may not accept a charge at the normal charger setting. When batteries are in this condition, charging can be started by use of the dead battery switch on charges so equipped.
3. To determine whether a battery is accepting a charge, follow the manufacturer's instructions for the charger, for use of the dead battery switch. If the switch is the spring-loaded type, it should be held in the ON position for up to three minutes.
4. After releasing dead battery switch and with charger still on, measure battery voltage. If it shows 12 volts or higher, the battery is accepting a charge and is capable of being recharged. However, it may require up to two hours of charging with batteries colder than 5°C (41°F) before the charge rate is high enough to show on the charger ammeter. It has been found that all non- damaged batteries can be charged by this procedure. If a battery cannot be charged by this procedure, it should be replaced.
5. A rapid recharger procedure has been developed for recharging batteries that have passed the Load Test and only need a recharge. This can be due to in-service no-start battery failures (vehicle will not crank due to low battery state of charge) or battery discharged in vehicle due to key-off loads.
6. The battery can be rapidly recharged by using either of the following methods:
^ Perform a two hour charge using 20A constant current (manual setting on charger).
^ Perform a two hour charge using a constant potential (automatic setting on charger).